A Guide to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Heart of Learning: A Guide to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

When the Nobel Prize arrived at his doorstep in 1957, Albert Camus didn’t rush to celebrate with literary giants or toast with publishers. Instead, he sat down to write a letter - to a quiet figure from his childhood. His teacher. Monsieur Germain.

Camus, born into poverty and silence - his father gone, his mother nearly deaf and unable to read - was raised in the still shadows of hardship. But in the middle of it all, there was a classroom. And in that classroom, a teacher who saw more than a boy - he saw possibility.

“Your efforts, your work, and the generous heart you put into it still live in one of your little schoolboys…”  -  Albert Camus, in a letter to his teacher

Camus didn’t remember a lesson plan. He remembered the person behind the lesson - the one who saw him, who cared, who shaped the soil in which his story took root.

That’s the quiet, lifelong magic of SEL - Social-Emotional Learning.

What is SEL?

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of learning how to understand and manage emotions, build healthy relationships, make responsible decisions, and grow empathy.

It’s not a new idea - humans have always been doing it. Every time a child pauses before lashing out, comforts a peer, or takes responsibility after a mistake, SEL is at work.

And it’s not just for children. Adults practice SEL every day - at home, in meetings, in crowded markets, and especially in classrooms. Sometimes consciously. Often, not.

But there’s value in making it intentional.
When we design our classrooms with SEL in mind - not just as places of instruction, but as spaces of emotional growth - something powerful happens.

Classrooms are where children spend the most active part of their day. They’re also full of emotion: excitement, anxiety, joy, frustration, wonder. SEL gives both children and teachers the tools to navigate all of it - together.

And here’s the good news: these skills can be taught. Practiced. Strengthened.

Just like reading or cycling, emotional intelligence is not something we either have or don’t. It’s something we grow - step by step, with the right support.

Research backs this up. In a large-scale meta-analysis, students who participated in SEL programs showed improved classroom behaviour, better stress management, and performed significantly better in academics (Durlak et al., 2011).
Another study (Taylor et al., 2017) found that the benefits of SEL - better mental health, relationships, and career readiness - lasted well into adulthood.

SEL is not a luxury. It’s not soft. It’s foundational.
It’s the invisible curriculum that shapes how children learn, relate, and grow - not just today, but for life.

How SEL Comes Alive in Classrooms

CASEL outlines five core areas of SEL. These aren’t boxes to check - they are emotional threads running through every classroom interaction.

Let’s explore what they look like in everyday school life.

Knowing Ourselves (Self-Awareness)

Being able to name our feelings, notice our thoughts, and recognize what we’re good at and what challenges us.

A child who says, “My stomach feels funny before I go on stage” is practicing self-awareness.
So is a teacher thinking, “I’m feeling impatient today - I need to slow down.”

These small recognitions are powerful. They build a bridge between emotion and response.

This skill can be taught through stories, morning check-ins, journaling, and circle time.

Managing Ourselves (Self-Management)

Learning what to do with emotions once we recognize them.

A student who drops a lunch tray and calmly asks for help instead of crying is managing emotions.
So is a child who begins to remember their homework regularly after a week of forgetting.

Mindfulness routines, breathing exercises, and classroom rituals help build this capacity over time.

Seeing Others (Social Awareness)

The ability to notice what others are feeling - even when it’s not spoken - and to respect differences.

A child who offers to share lunch, or one who wonders why a classmate looks sad, is showing social awareness.

Storybooks, role play, and simple empathy questions like “How do you think she felt?” nurture this skill.

Relating Well (Relationship Skills)

Listening. Apologizing. Collaborating. Disagreeing kindly.

Think of group projects, classroom arguments, or a simple apology. These are moments where SEL becomes real.

Modelling respectful dialogue and giving space for peer conversations strengthens this skill.

Choosing Wisely (Responsible Decision-Making)

This is the quiet compass inside - a sense of right and wrong, and the ability to think through consequences.

A student who chooses to tell the truth even when it’s hard.
A teacher who admits, “I overreacted earlier - let me try again.”

Stories, classroom discussions, and reflective questions help children build their inner compass.

Why SEL Matters for Teachers

Teaching is not just about content - it’s about care.

A classroom is an emotional landscape. Every day, you navigate your own feelings while holding space for many others.

SEL isn’t extra work. It’s the work beneath the work.

Because emotions are part of learning
Neuroscience tells us that emotions shape memory, attention, and motivation. SEL helps teachers notice and support this emotional layer.

Because relationships matter
A child who feels safe, seen, and respected learns more deeply. SEL strengthens that connection.

Because it improves academic learning
Children in SEL-supported classrooms do better - not just emotionally, but academically. It improves attendance, behaviour, and test performance.

Because you’re always modelling
Children learn how to handle life by watching how we do it. Your tone, your pauses, your repair after a mistake - they’re all lessons.